DU Correspondent :
In a move to fulfil the manifesto outlined by the anti-discrimination student movement, dubbed the ‘New Political Settlement,’ and to dismantle the fascist systems embedded in various sectors of the country, a new platform named the ‘Jatiya Nagorik Committee’ has been launched.
The 56-member committee is led by Nasir Uddin Patwari as convener, with Akter Hossain as member secretary and Shamanta Parveen serving as spokesperson.
The remaining 48 members were also named during the announcement at Central Shaheed Minar on Sunday.
While introducing the committee, Nasir Uddin Patwari remarked, “This is an emergent committee. We will release the full committee soon and extend its reach to the rural areas.
Our aim is to channel the unifying strength of the youth and students into national reform and reconstruction.”
Patwari further emphasised the committee’s commitment to national service, stating, “We are always prepared to sacrifice everything for Bangladesh.
Together with the youth, we are establishing a platform to enable them to contribute to the country’s reformation from their respective spheres.”
Spokesperson Shamanta Parveen added that the platform will function as a pressure group aimed at restructuring the state and eradicating the entrenched fascist political system.
Parveen highlighted, “The sacrifices of hundreds of martyrs and thousands of injured individuals, along with the involvement of the people, successfully toppled the Hasina-led government.
However, the fascist system remains in place, attempting to suppress the spirit of the mass uprising. To ensure a new political settlement for the betterment of the country, we have formed the Jatiya Nagorik Committee.”
The newly formed committee has outlined several key objectives.
The newly formed committee has outlined several key objectives. These include enhancing public enthusiasm for democracy and the spirit of the mass uprising, ensuring justice for the genocide and other irregularities under the Hasina regime, promoting national reform, fostering government accountability, facilitating policy discussions between the public and stakeholders, rewriting the constitution with input from grassroots communities, and fostering cultural, social, and religious cohesion across the country.
The committee members include: Ariful Islam Adeeb, Saif Mostafiz, Monira Sharmin, Nahida Sarwar Chowdhury, Sarwar Tushar, Mutasim Billah, Ashraf Uddin Mahdi, Alauddin Mohammad, Anik Roy, Javed Rasin, Md Nizam Uddin, Sabhanaz Rashid Dia, Pranjal Kosta, Moinul Islam Tuhin, Abdullah Al Amin, Huzaifa Ibn Omar, Shrabna Shafiq Dipti, Sayak Chakma, Sanjida Rahman Tuli, Abu Raihan Khan, Mahmuda Alam Mitu, Alik Mr, Sagufta Bushra Mishma, Syed Hassan Imtiaz, Tasnim Zara, Mohammad Miraz Mia, Azhar Uddin Anik, Md Mesbah Kamal, Ataullah, S M Shahriar, Manjur-Al-Matin, Pritam Das, Tajnubha Jabeen, Arpita Shyama Deb, Mazharul Islam Fakir, Saleh Uddin Sifat, Mushfiq Us Saleheen, Tahsin Riaz, Hasan Ali Khan, Md Abdul Ahad, Faisal Mahmud Shanto, Moshiur Rahman, Atiq Mujahid, Tanzil Mahmud, Abdullah Al Mamun Faisal, Md Farhad Alam Bhuiyan, S M Souza, Md Arifur Rahman, Kaneta Ya Lam Lam, Syeda Akhtar, Swarna Akhtar, Salman Muhammad Muktadir, and Akram Hussain.
At the event, Akter Hossain, member secretary of the committee, initiated the program with a one-minute silence in memory of the martyrs of the mass uprising. Several family members of the martyrs attended the event, where they called for justice for those responsible for the deaths of their loved ones.
The emotional testimonies of the martyrs’ families moved the audience as they recounted the tragic stories of their lost relatives.
Syeda Akhter, sister of martyr Ahnaf Abir Asraful, tearfully demanded justice, stating, “While many have come here with a sense of joy, I come with no pleasure, having lost my brother in the mass uprising.
We demand justice and the dismantling of fascist forces in all sectors of the country.”
Addressing questions about the committee’s political alignment, Nasir Uddin Patwari clarified, “We are not advocating for any personal or party agenda. Our focus is solely on the future of Bangladesh.
” He added, “The committee is dedicated to upholding the spirit of the mass uprising and resisting domestic and international conspiracies.”
Concluding his speech, Patwari emphasised the committee’s long-term vision, stating, “We will rebuild the state, addressing each sector. We will unite the youth across all sectors.
If party restructuring is necessary, it will be carried out. We witnessed new political arrangements after 1971 and 1990, but they failed. We will not allow the mass uprising of 2024 to fail.”